The board is a road map. Siri is not consulted for directions. As the fourth round grew longer, the Broncos became comfortable that the linebacker they wanted would be available later.

They followed their plan, trading their 131st and 246th picks for the Bears’ 156th and a fifth-rounder in 2015. The calculated risk paid off as the Broncos drafted Louisiana State linebacker Lamin Barrow.

“We were thrilled that he was still there,” general manager John Elway said. “We had to sweat it out a little bit.”

The Broncos completed the draft by adding Boise State center Matthew Paradis in the sixth round and Oklahoma linebacker Corey Nelson in the seventh.

Barrow was a senior leader for the Tigers, playing predominantly weakside linebacker. He’s added weight since his season ended — he’s up to 237 from 225 — and Elway said he could play middle as well.

“I am looking forward to playing in the middle,” Barrow said. “I can do whatever they need me to do.”

The Broncos have expressed confidence in Nate Irving, but Barrow provides depth and creates competition in camp. Elway praised Barrow’s toughness and mentality, something the Broncos have worked to change since the Super Bowl rout.

Barrow ran the 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds at the NFL combine. He has good instincts, but has to prove he can play at his size. He is prepared to contribute on special teams.

“The moment of getting drafted was just surreal. There was so much waiting. I have been dreaming of this my whole life,” Barrow said. “I got frustrated seeing some of the guys go before me, seeing some of the teams pass on me. Then I talked to coach (Jack) Del Rio and to Elway and they just said ‘Welcome to the family.’ I knew it was real at that point. I am just celebrating with my family now.”

Paradis took the road less traveled to the NFL, going from 8-man football to walk-on to all-conference performer. He will provide depth on an offensive line that is undergoing adjustments with Orlando Franklin moving to left guard.

“It’s been a pretty surreal (journey),” said Paradis, who took the call in Boise because he was unsure of cell service in his tiny hometown in Council, Idaho. “You never think it will happen. And it did. It’s pretty amazing.”

Nelson was available because of injury. He played only two games last season for Oklahoma after suffering a pectoral injury. He said his strengths are running sideline to sideline and versatility.

“He’s got great speed and a nose for the football, so he’ll provide some competition and has a chance to make our team,” Elway said.

Troy joined The Denver Post in 2002 as the Rockies' beat writer and became a Broncos beat writer in 2014 before assuming the lead role before the 2015 season. He is a past president of the local chapter of Baseball Writers Association of America and has won more than 20 local and national writing awards since graduating from the University of Colorado journalism school with honors in 1993.

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